George Burns turns unassisted triple play for Red Sox

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George Burns made a triple play yesterday, unassisted, it being the fourth time the feat has been accomplished in the history of major league baseball. Paul Hines, Neal Ball and William Wambsganss – the latter doing it in the world’s championship series in 1920 -- were the only men to execute such a play, and a period of 45 years had intervened between that of Hines and the one by Burns.

The situation yesterday was like this: Stephenson was on second. Lutzke on first and Brower at bat in the second inning. Brower hit a liner toward right field, which looked as if it were going through, but Burns cut across and caught the ball 15 feet away from first base just as Lutzke shot past him on his way to second. Burns sprang after Lutzke and touched him with the ball as he pulled up on the base line, and then beat Stephenson in a sprint to second base.

Burns quickly sensed the opportunity offered him, which, aside from his great catch, was the important part of the play. Such an opportunity rarely comes in the life of a ball player, but Burns had his wits when the chance came to him.

Unfortunately less than 2,500 fans saw the performance, the attendance being unusually light because of the cold and threatening weather early in the day.

Incidentally, the Red Sox won from the Indians, 4-3 in a 12-inning battle, making a thrilling finish when, with the bases full, Ira Flagstead came through with a sizzling drive to left field, which scored the tying and winning runs.

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